Casper Water Rescues Could Increase This Summer

Many people are getting ready to hit the water for the summer, but there's usually a few people that will get in over their heads.

Last summer, Casper Fire-EMS crews had fewer than normal water rescues, due to higher levels of water and colder water temperatures, associated with a late and heavy snow melt.

This year, that may not be the case, because of lower snowpack numbers and a very warm spring.

Jason Parks with the Casper Fire-EMS says there has already been a couple of rescues so far this year, and regardless of conditions, there tends to be one area where swimmers tend to get into trouble, if they're not careful.

"Our Whitewater Park is increasingly gaining popularity. that's typically where our main response is. Some people get caught up in some of the rapids over there. They're not familiar with the way that the water works over there and a lot of times, people don't have respect for the water itself, so that's typically where they get in trouble."

Swimmers can get a life-jacket free of charge from any Casper Fire Station.